Mercedes Ann Wathen

Mercedes Ann Wathen, 25, of Des Moines, formerly of Newton, died Monday, April 2, 2018. The family will greet friends with a celebration of life from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 7 at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Memorial checks may be made out to Karen Wathen to be used for Mercedes’ children.

Mercedes, the daughter of Steven and Karen (Mielke) Wathen, was born Aug. 20, 1992, in Des Moines. She lived most of her life in Newton, and attended Newton Community Schools before receiving her diploma from DMACC in Des Moines.

Mercedes is survived by her children, Athena and Ezekiel Phanphasy and their father, Thomas Phanphasy, all of Des Moines; mother, Karen Wathen of Newton; her siblings, Blake Wathen of Newton and Danielle (Billy) Roush of Newton; her maternal grandparents, Richard and Shirley Mielke of Newton; and paternal grandmother, Lois Wathen of Urbandale. She was preceded in death by her father, Steve Wathen; and paternal grandfather, James Wathen.